2011-02-11 13:33:03 | pauls writes:

Car to be at auction 2/11
www.classic-auctions.com/Auctions/26-02-2011-StoneleighPark-1286/1959Austin-Heal ...

Auction description:
Lot Number: 35
1959 Austin-Healey 3000 'Bulldog'
Estimate: (£) 200,000 - 250,000
Reg Number: 6200 NO
Chassis Number: BN6544
Engine Number: 26D/R/61531H
Cc: 2992
Body Colour: Red / White
Trim Colour: N/A
MOT ExpiryDate: None

Works Healeys scored some memorable results in international rallying and both factory and privately-entered examples raced with honour at the likes of Sebring, Le Mans, and the Nurburgring; also in such marathon road events as the Mille Miglia and Targa Florio. Replicas of these charismatic cars are a popular choice for today's historic events the world over.

Arguably the daddy of them all is the red and white 1959 example that carries the registration number 6200 NO. It's been the personal possession of Denis Welch for the last 32 years and is generally considered to be the most successful racing Healey of all time. Affectionately known as 'The Bulldog' (in memory of a record-breaking boat belonging to Welch's grandfather), the Healey was purchased from a former ballerina and has seen constant action since 1982. In that time it's won just about everything it was eligible for, from UK championships with the Healey Club, HSCC and TR register, to the hotly contested FIA series. It boasts one of the finest records on the fearsome Nordschleife (three wins, plus a 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 7th) and has twice been victorious on the dips and dives of Bathurst, Australia.

Having sold Denis Welch Motorsport to his son Jeremy in 2007, Welch is now finally ready to part with 6200 NO. On the button, it is equipped to the latest specification, including: straight-cut gearbox with high-performance overdrive; disc brakes all round with dual circuit balance bar system; a long range fuel tank and twin fuel pumps; a 2992 cc competition engine, the performance of which is simply described as 'sufficient'! One imagines the opportunity to purchase 'The Bulldog' will be of interest to competitors the world over, not least those who have been stuck behind it for the last 29 years!

The car's unique roll of honour includes: 1984 Austin Healey /TR register Champion; 1985 HSCC Nostalgia Award; 1986 HSCC pre-1960 Champion & FIA European GTS Class Champion; 1987 HSCC pre-1960 Class Champion; 1988 HSCC Classic GTS Champion & FIA European Class 5 Champion; 1989 HSCC Classic GTS Champion & Austin Healey Club Champion; 1991 HSCC Classic GTS Champion; 1992 HSCC Classic GTS Champion; 1994 HSCC Classic Sportscar Champion.

Individual successes between 1989 and 1995 include:

1989
Cadwell Park, May 7, 1st in class

Brands Hatch, Jun 4, 1st in class

Oulton Park, Jul 29, 1st in class

Zolder, Aug 13, 1st Overall

Donington Park, Sep 10, 1st in class

Snetterton, Oct 22, 1st Overall

1990
Cadwell Park, May 7, 1st in class

Spa Francorchamps, May 20, 1st Overall

Brands Hatch, Jun 3, 1st in class

Donington Park, Jul 8, 1st in class

Donington Park, Jul 22, 1st in class

Zolder Aug 19, 1st in class

Silverstone, Jul 28, 1st in class

Brands Hatch, Aug 27, 1st in class

1991
Donington Park, May 6, 1st in class

Monza May 19, 1st in class

Oulton Park, Jul 6, 1st in class

Donington Park, Jul 20, 1st in class

Mallory Park, Aug 26, 1st in class

Thruxton, Sep 8, 1st in class

Silverstone, Sep 28, 1st in class

Eiffel Klassik Oct 6, 7th Overall

Snetterton, Oct 27, 1st in class

Castle Combe Oct 12, 1st Overall

1992
Cadwell Park, Apr 17, 1st in class

Spa Francorchamps May 17, 1st in class

Brands Hatch, May 30, 1st in class

Montlhery, Jun 27, 1st in class

Oulton Park, Jul 4, 1st in class

Brands Hatch, Aug 31, 1st in class

Donington Park, Sep 13, 1st in class

Silverstone, Sep 19, 1st in class

Eiffel Klassik, Oct 4, 2nd Overall

1993
Spa Francorchamps, May 16, 1st Overall

Brands Hatch, Jun 6, 1st Overall

Brands Hatch, Jun 6, 1st in class

Montlhery, Jun 26, 1st Overall

Montlhery, Jun 26, 1st Overall

Nüburgring, Aug 8, 1st in class

Zolder, Aug 22, 1st in class

Zandvoort, Aug 29, 1st Overall

Donington Park, Sep 4, 1st in class

Oulton Park, Sep 18, 1st in class

Eiffel Klassik, Oct 3, 1st Overall

1994
Castle Combe, May 2, 1st Overall

Donington Park, May 15, 1st Overall

Donington Park, May 15, 1st in class

Brands Hatch, Jun 4, 1st Overall

Brands Hatch, Jun 5, 1st Overall

CadwellPark, Jun 12, 1st Overall

Oulton Park, Jul 2, 1st in class

Oulton Park, Jul 2, 1st in class

Zolder, Aug 7, 1st Overall

Nürburgring Aug 14, 1st in class

Thruxton, Aug 29, 1st in class

Donington Park, Sep 3, 1st Overall

Silverstone, Sep 17, 1st in class

Silverstone, Oct 8, 1st in class

1995
Brands Hatch, Jul 1, 1st Overall

Brands Hatch, Jul 2, 1st in class

Oulton Park, Jul 15, 1st in class

Silverstone, Jul 30, 1st Overall

Eiffel Klassik, Sep 10, 3rd Overall

Dijon, Sep 24, 1st Overall